How to Uncrate Your Linnie
by nansflock
I was surprised to learn that some folks reach into carriers or pet store boxes to grab their birds when they get them home from the store or airport.
This is a HUGE NO NO for linnies! (And for other birds and pets as well!) Scare the bird now, and you will slow down or end your relationship right then and there!
Instead…
STEP 1. When you get your linnie home, place the carrier or box in a small, enclosed area (kitchen table or counter in corner, for instance) but close to where the cage will be located, and set it down. This will calm your bird. If you can put the cage close to the carrier/box, leave the cage door open.
STEP 2. Have this ready: Cage set up, folded cloth on table, extra cloth/dish towel, perch, sliced/peeled Granny Smith apple, millet, or sweet potato. Fold one cloth on the table just outside the cage door (tables are slippery and may spook your bird!)
STEP 3. Make sure there are no distractions, barking dogs, screaming kids, telephones, or whatever that may startle your bird. If you are doing this with children, instruct your child that they MUST NOT TOUCH the bird (until you say it’s OK). If you have dogs or other pets, confine them.
STEP 4. Gently open the cage door, or box, until you can see the bird.
A. If the bird is panic stricken 
(feathers tight to the body, crouching in a corner, breathing hard), hold the box/crate opening up to the open cage door and gently coax it into the cage directly from the container. Let the bird adjust. DO NOT GRAB THE BIRD.
… Offer your hand covered in the dish towel. Return to table (or cage if he looks frightened.)
… Cup (without pressure) your bird in your bare hands. Some linnies will just be happy to be rescued. It might be better to put bird into his cage if he’s too scared.
… Last resort: Gently cover bird with dish towel without applying pressure. Put toweled bird into cage, open towel and release bird. Allow your linnie to settle down. Offer apple and millet through the cage bars at first, and then with cage door open. When bird is eating, exploring, playing, etc., allow your linnie out of his cage.
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B. If the bird is peeking 
at you from inside box or crate, open the container on the table and allow the bird to come out on its own onto the cloth with the millet and apple. DO NOT GRAB THE BIRD! If your bird is eating and curious, you will have an immediately adorable pet and you may attempt to touch or offer your finger/hand bird at this point.
NOTE: If your linnie will not come out of his cage, after settling down, eating well and playing on his own, try this:
In the morning before he awakes and when you have the time to sit and watch, remove food and water from the inside of the cage. Place fresh water/food/millet on the OUTSIDE of the cage hooked onto the cage bars, and leave the cage door open. Your linnie should come out to eat, maybe even explore. Try again the next day if he won’t come out after 15-20 minutes and don’t forget to put the food back into the cage.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAIN A FRIGHTENED BIRD!
When your bird is eating, playing and happy — that is the time to train. Some birds arrive in your home ready to go. Others will take more time. Give them the space they need and they will thrive. Should you already have a problem taming your bird, go back to Step 1 and start over. Most will come around.
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